What Is Malware? Types, Detection & Prevention

Malware is malicious software or code that damages or disrupts the normal operations of an endpoint device. The best way to think about malware is like the flu: It interferes with a device’s normal functioning and makes it more vulnerable to further diseases or infections. As such, it’s critical that you treat malware as soon as you identify it to prevent further damage.

Threat actors use malware for a variety of reasons. Some may want to gain money from you, make a political statement, sabotage your operational efficiency, or even just prank you. Regardless of the motive, malware can become extremely dangerous, encrypting or deleting your sensitive data and ultimately costing you thousands of dollars (not to mention the significant loss of customer trust).

Let’s look at some latest numbers from G2:

• 560,000 new malware threats emerge every day.
• 70% of organizations report seeing malware ads on their browsers.
• 75% of companies worldwide saw malware spread from one worker to another.
• Over 40 malware types use domain generation (DGAs), which makes them harder to detect and prevent.
• Google detects over 50 malicious websites every week.

Types of malware

There are several types of malware, but we’ll discuss the most common ones:

Phishing

Phishing, subdivided into spear phishing and whaling, pretends to be a credible or authoritative source to steal sensitive data through emails, websites, text messages, or other electronic communication. Typically, cybercriminals pose as your employer or high-level organization (such as a bank) to trick you into divulging personal data like credit card numbers or SSS or transferring large sums of money.

Phishing relies on and exploits the natural trusting instinct of most people. This is why many government agencies, including the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), regularly warn the public about the dangers of phishing and release many phishing prevention infographics.

Ransomware

Ransomware is the most popular type of malware. As its name suggests, ransomware holds specific information (usually personally identifiable information) hostage for a price.

CISA has launched its Stop Ransomware campaign to educate the public about its prevalence and prevent businesses from being impacted. However, according to the latest report by Statista, ransomware continues to rise at an unprecedented rate each year. In fact, experts estimate that the average ransom paid to criminals in the second quarter of 2023 was over $740,000.

Spyware

Spyware is malicious software that accesses and damages a device without your consent. As a “spy” on your network, it enters your device, attempts to remain unnoticed, and collects personal and sensitive data. This information is usually sent to advertisers, data collection firms, or bad actors for profit.

While cybercriminals don’t necessarily want to physically harm your device, spyware can inevitably lead to a compromised system. Aside from data theft and identity fraud, spyware can drain system performance and consume large amounts of resources in your device. This, in turn, can cause your operating system to crash, overheat, or simply die.

Adware

Think of all the unskippable ads you see on popular websites. Now, apply that to your computer, and you get adware. Adware displays unwanted advertising on your computer through pop-ups, banner ads, or other forms of intrusive methods. They are installed without your knowledge or consent and are usually hard to remove once they infect your computer.

Adware is not generally harmful, but much like spyware, this malware collects PII and sells them to third-party companies.

Viruses

Computer viruses are malicious agents that replicate and spread themselves across your device. They spread digitally from host to host in a manner similar to how the flu virus spreads through humans.

There are many types of viruses, from Trojan viruses to resident viruses (that infect a host computer and infect applications as they are opened) to overwrite viruses (that delete data and replace them with another code). Regardless, all viruses can cause operational issues and result in data loss or leakage.

Worms

Worms are a subset of a Trojan virus that self-replicate from one computer to another. The main difference between a virus and a worm is that the former needs some sort of action to initiate the replication process, whereas the latter can spread across systems on its own.

Rootkit

Rootkits are malware programs that allow hackers access (or “root” control) to your entire network. Rootkits are designed to infiltrate your device without being detected and perform a variety of actions, such as botnets to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, disable security software, or steal PII.

Cryptojacking

Also known as malicious cryptomining, cryptojacking is a new (and increasingly prevalent) malware that uses your device to mine for cryptocurrency. This can significantly slow down your device and leave it more vulnerable to other infections. It’s worth noting that the number of cryptojacking incidents was close to 140 million in 2022, according to Statista. This number is estimated to have only increased in the last few years.

How do I get malware?

The most common way to get malware is through the Internet. Some cybercriminals may infect a USB or other portable ways to transfer data; however, you’re generally the most vulnerable to malware anytime you are online.

Malware can infect your computer when you navigate hacked or malicious websites, download infected files, install bad programs or apps, open an infected email, or perform any action not 100% secured with an anti-malware security application.

The dangerous aspect of malware is that it can pose as seemingly legitimate applications or emails. That is why reputable experts always say there is no foolproof way to prevent malware: Even the best of us can fall victim to it, especially as threat actors continue to get more sophisticated in their attacks.

Who does malware target?

The simplest answer is everyone. Cybercriminals are usually motivated by money and will exploit anyone who can be exploited. While some bad actors may target high-level executives or chase after the golden goose, the truth is that anyone can become a target. Lazier criminals may want to create and distribute malware to as many targets as possible—sort of like a trial-and-error process.

For the most part, criminals attack who they can. That’s why experts always recommend making it as hard as possible for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in your devices or IT systems. While no device can be 100% protected, cybercriminals generally won’t bother infecting a device that requires a lot of time and effort (not unless you are their specific target).

How can I tell if I have malware?

It’s worth noting that malware can manifest in various ways, depending on the type that infects your device or network. There are a few telltale signs to consider, though:

• Your computer slows down. One of the most obvious signs of malware is the reduced speed of your operating system. You may have been infected if you suddenly notice your computer slowing down, even when performing usual tasks.
• Your screen starts showing annoying ads. Unexpected pop-ups are the main symptoms of a malware infection. Take particular care of scareware as well – a type of adware that plays on your fear to get you to click on a specific application.
• Your system crashes. Beware of the blue screen of death or your computer suddenly freezing.
• Your browser settings change. Has your homepage changed? Do you see new toolbars or extensions that you’re sure you never installed? This may be unwanted software that has been installed in your system.
• You suddenly have increased internet activity. Pay close attention to your internet activity—some malware installs a secondary infection in your computer, such as ransomware. This, in turn, results in higher internet activity.
• You lose access to some files or your entire computer. Hackers can encrypt files in your computer, making them inaccessible until you pay a ransom.
• Your antivirus software is suddenly disabled. Hackers will immediately disable any antivirus software in your device and other security extensions to prevent themselves from being detected.
• Your contacts receive strange messages from you. Become wary if your business colleagues or friends start receiving weird messages supposedly by you.

Remember: no news is not necessarily good news, either. Even if everything seems “normal,” your device may still have been infected with malware. More sophisticated malware is being created daily to evade detection and continue its malicious activity without you knowing. The best course of action is to use a good cybersecurity program or work with a vendor that offers a variety of security features.

How do I protect myself from malware?

• Install an antivirus program. The simplest way to prevent malware is with a trusted security solution or anti-malware software. If you’re an MSP, look for a trusted endpoint management company like NinjaOne that integrates with leading security providers to provide end-to-end protection for your entire fleet.
• Invest in cybersecurity training. Ensure that all team members, including C-suite management and non-IT personnel, are informed and regularly updated on the signs of phishing and other cyberattacks. If possible, simulation training tools should also be considered.
• Adopt a zero-trust model. Consider zero-trust security measures, such as implementing multi-factor authentication, to ensure only authorized users can access your most sensitive information.

How NinjaOne prevents malware

NinjaOne is the trusted endpoint management software solution for 17,000+ customers worldwide. Built by IT for IT, its platform not only allows you to seamlessly monitor and manage your endpoint devices but also protects them from cyber threats with its various security integrations.

An all-in-one tool, NinjaOne has a proven track record of driving radical efficiency, lowering IT costs, and reducing security risk.

If you’re ready, request a free quote, sign up for a 14-day free trial, or watch a demo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do Macs get malware?

Common belief holds that Macs and other Apple devices are immune to catching viruses and therefore don’t need any anti-malware app. While generally true, Macs are not invulnerable and can still be infected with malware.

2. Does malware target mobile devices?

Yes. Modern cybercriminals are now targeting mobile devices due to their popularity—almost everyone in the world has a mobile device!

3. Does my Android device have malware?

Aside from the common signs mentioned earlier, one of the easiest ways to tell if your Android device has malware is if it suddenly and frequently gets hot. A hot phone means that its processor is using a large amount of resources, which can be a symptom of malware.

4. Does my iPhone or iPad have malware?

Malware is not usually common among Apple devices. However, just because it is rare doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Jailbroken phones are generally more vulnerable to malware and can cause your phone to lag or freeze.

5. How do I remove malware?

We go more in-depth about how to remove malicious code in this article.